The International Criminal Court (ICC) has postponed the confirmation of charges hearing for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, following a request from his legal team citing health issues.
The hearing, which was originally scheduled for September 23, was delayed to a new date to be announced, as Duterte’s lawyers argued that he is “not fit to stand trial.” According to a decision from the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I, the postponement was granted as a “limited” measure to allow time to determine whether he is medically capable of participating in the proceedings.
Duterte, who is facing charges of crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s “war on drugs,” was arrested in March in Manila on an ICC warrant. His legal counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, has stated that the 80-year-old former president has been struggling with a “progressively deteriorating medical situation.” The defense team’s request for an indefinite adjournment was supported by medical expert opinions, according to Kaufman.
The move marks a temporary pause in the legal proceedings as the court assesses the medical information provided by the defense. The ICC has emphasized that the postponement will be strictly limited to the time necessary to determine Duterte’s fitness to participate.
The case has been a point of international contention, particularly since the Philippines’ formal withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019. The latest development has drawn reactions from both sides, with some victims’ families expressing disappointment over the delay in their pursuit of justice. The ICC will issue a new scheduling order once a determination on the matter has been made.